How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Don't dump or burn your Christmas tree this year — recycle it instead for free in San Diego County.

One of the trickiest parts about wrapping up the holiday season can be figuring out what to do with your Christmas tree. Luckily, the city of San Diego offers several recycling options. Before recycling, make sure your tree is stripped of lights, tinsel, garlands, ornaments and stands.

Both green and flocked trees are accepted, but artificial trees are not.

The city’s annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program runs from Dec. 26, to Jan. 16, with 16 drop-off locations available for residents.

Trees collected through the program are turned into compost, wood chips, and mulch, which are available for purchase year-round. Residents may also collect up to two cubic yards of free compost or mulch at the Miramar Greenery.

"The program turns recycled Christmas trees into useful products. Trees are given a second life by converting them into high-quality compost, wood chips and mulch products for residents and business owners to purchase year-round," the city said.

Drop-off locations include:

• Carmel Valley: Carmel Valley Recreation Center, 3777 Townsgate Dr. (lower parking lot)
• Mission Bay: SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Highway
• Ocean Beach: Robb Field Recreation Center, 2525 Bacon St.
• Pacific Beach: Kate Sessions Memorial Park, corner of Mount Soledad Road and Loring Street.
• Scripps Ranch: Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive
• University City: Standley Community Park, 3585 Governor Drive

For the full list of locations, visit the City of San Diego's Environmental Services website here.

Curbside collection is also available. Residents using the city-provided Organic Waste Curbside Green Bin can recycle their trees by cutting them to fit inside the bin and placing them out on their regular collection day.

If you’re looking for more options, Miramar Greenery Recycling at Miramar Landfill accepts trees though there may be disposal fees. Additional drop-off locations across the county can be found at wastefreesd.org.

For more information, visit the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services website.